Cmdr. Audry T. Oxley, a native of Lamar, Colorado, relieves Cmdr. Drew A. Borovies, a native of Washington, D.C., as Commanding Officer of USS Tulsa (LCS 16). LCS are high-speed, agile, shallow draft, mission-focused surface combatants designed for operations in the littoral environment, yet fully capable of open ocean operations. As part of the surface fleet, LCS has the ability to counter and outpace evolving threats independently or within a network of surface combatants.U.S. Navy Photo by Ens. Melissa L. Spoerl.

USS Tulsa change of command
4/30/2019
by Ens. Melissa Spoerl, USS Tulsa (LCS 16) Public Affairs
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) held a change of command on the ship’s flight deck while pierside at Naval Base San Diego, Apr. 29.
Cmdr. Audry Oxley, a native of Lamar, Colorado, assumed command of the ship from Cmdr. Drew Borovies, a native of Washington D.C.
Borovies completed a successful 24-month commissioning command tour with Tulsa which included numerous certification events, tactics development, training and preparing Tulsa to officially join the fleet.
“This opportunity of bringing a new ship and her crew into the Navy has been the most rewarding experience of my career,” said Borovies. “To see Tulsa operational, on the waterfront, part of the fleet and crewed by the finest Sailors in the Navy has been, frankly, amazing.”
Borovies’ next assignment is to command USS Omaha (LCS 12), also in San Diego.
“Although Tulsa is just beginning her life in the fleet, I know that with these Sailors aboard her, with their character and spirit being passed on to generations of Tulsa Sailors, she will serve with distinction for many years to come,” said Borovies.
Oxley, who recently served as executive officer of USS Tulsa (LCS 16), said, “I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to lead Tulsa’s Sailors once more. I look forward to continuing the work of integrating Tulsa into the fleet.”
Tulsa serves as a mine countermeasure mission module platform along with USS Manchester (LCS 14) and USS Charleston (LCS 18), and is assigned to Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron ONE.
LCS vessels are high-speed, agile, shallow draft, mission-focused surface combatants designed for operations in the littoral environment, yet fully capable of open ocean operations. As part of the surface fleet, LCS has the ability to counter and outpace evolving threats independently or within a network of surface combatants. Paired with advanced sonar and mine hunting capabilities, LCS provides a major contribution, as well as a more diverse set of options to commanders, across the spectrum of operations.

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